About National Independence Day
May 10th is a working holiday in Romania.
The day marks three important moments in Romania's history: the beginning of Carol I reign, State Independence and the crowning of the country's first king. Since April 2021, May 10th has become a national celebration day, by the decision of the Chamber of Deputies.
National Day: The first significance of May 10th is about the arrival of Carol of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen in Romania in 1866. On May 10th he arrived in Bucharest and that is the moment when May 10th becomes the National Day and Dynasty Day in Romanians' conscience until 1947 when the communists came to power. During the communist regime, May 10th was wiped out of the collective memory.
Independence Day: On May 10th 1877, Romania's Senate voted the independence proclamation versus the Ottoman Empire. The Independence War or the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 benefited from a decisive contribution of Romanian troops, under Carol's command. At the same time, the Berlin Congress of 1878 established Romania's full independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Royalty Day: On May 10th 1881, the Parliament voted the transformation of the country into the kingdom, and Prince Carol became Romania's king. The celebration of May 10th was interdicted for the first time in 1917 by the German occupation and the second time by the communist regime, following the forced abdication of King Mihai in 1947.
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